Collins endorsed by BIW unions

All four labor unions at Bath Iron Works today announced that they have voted to endorse United States Senator Susan Collins in her bid for reelection. These unions, represent more than 4,000 shipbuilders, draftsmen, designers, clerical and technical workers, security guards, and fire fighting professionals at the yard. This marks the first time that these local unions have issued a joint endorsement and the first time they have endorsed a Republican candidate for federal office.

BATH, Maine—All four labor unions at Bath Iron Works today announced that they have voted to endorse United States Senator Susan Collins in her bid for reelection. These unions, represent more than 4,000 shipbuilders, draftsmen, designers, clerical and technical workers, security guards, and fire fighting professionals at the yard. This marks the first time that these local unions have issued a joint endorsement and the first time they have endorsed a Republican candidate for federal office.

"I am proud to stand here today along with leaders from the other three unions at the yard pledging our support for Senator Collins," said Local S6 IAM President Jay Wadleigh. "The mechanics, security personnel, design, and draftsmen at BIW work hard day in and day out to provide a quality product for the U.S. Navy. Senator Collins works just as hard advocating for our workers and their families. We need her in Washington."

"Susan Collins has worked tirelessly for Maine. She understands how important a vibrant workforce at BIW is to our state's economy. We fully support her re-election and look forward to our continued work together," said Bev Harris, President of the Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association.

"Susan has been great for BIW and great for Maine. We proudly support her and we will work to help re-elect her to the Senate," said Dan Loudermilk, President of L-S7 IAM.

"Senator Collins continues to be our voice in Washington. She is the strongest advocate the workers at the yard could hope for," said Nate Doherety, President of the Independent Guards Association.

"The day after the 2008 election, I came to BIW to thank the men and women who work here for their support and to let them know that this shipyard, their jobs, and their families would always be a top priority for me,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins. “I am honored to receive these endorsements, and I look forward to continuing to work hard on behalf of BIW, Maine, and our country."

Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. She has a long record of fighting for the shipyard and the men and women who work there. Most recently, Senator Collins attended the christening ceremony for the DDG-1000 after her tireless efforts to ensure that all three of the Zumwalt-class ships would be built in Maine. In addition, Senator Collins strongly supported efforts to build ten DDG-51’s, five of which will be built at BIW. She secured the additional $100 million needed in this year’s federal appropriations bill that ensures the tenth ship, which will be built at BIW. Senator Collins also wrote the language that settled a decades-old lawsuit over the cancellation of the A-12 aircraft, allowing the Navy to receive a $200 million credit for the third DDG-1000 deckhouse at no cost to the taxpayer.